Question

The nurse cares for a client with a burn on the arm and finds that the area is red, moist, and covered in shiny, fluid-filled vesicles. Which burn stage does the nurse document?

a) Superficial (first-degree) burn
b) Partial-thickness (second-degree) burn
c) Full-thickness (third-degree) burn
d) Deep-tissue (fourth-degree) burn

Answer 1

The nurse would document a partial-thickness (second-degree) burn for the client's condition. This type of burn affects both the epidermis and a portion of the dermis, resulting in swelling and blistering of the skin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse would document a partial-thickness (second-degree) burn for the client's condition. This is because the burn is characterized by redness, moisture, and shiny, fluid-filled vesicles. Second-degree burns affect both the epidermis and a portion of the dermis, resulting in swelling and blistering of the skin. These burns typically heal within several weeks if kept clean and sterile.